Pope Leo calls for global leaders to choose peace in his first Easter Mass
Pope Leo XIV Urges Global Leaders to Embrace Peace in First Easter Mass
On Sunday, thousands of faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square to witness Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Easter Mass address as pontiff. Surrounded by white roses on the central balcony of the Vatican’s basilica, the leader of the Catholic Church emphasized the need for leaders to prioritize peace over conflict. “On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars,” he proclaimed.
“We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people,” the pope said in his address. “Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace.”
As the first pope born in the United States, Leo has emerged as a prominent voice against the Iran war and has consistently advocated for the reduction of global tensions. Before delivering his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing—meaning “to the city and the world”—he greeted the crowd below with a wave, signaling his connection to the people.
St Peter’s Square was adorned with spring blooms, featuring rows of daffodils and a vibrant array of purple, red, and white flowers for the Easter Mass. In a departure from past practices, Leo did not name specific conflicts or countries in his message, instead focusing on universal themes. He honored his predecessor, Pope Francis, who delivered his final Easter address hours before his passing last year.
Reflecting on the Easter narrative of Christ’s resurrection, Leo highlighted the nonviolent nature of Jesus’ suffering, three days after being crucified. For Christians, this holiday symbolizes the core of their faith, marking the rebirth of hope through the risen Christ.
As the bells of the Vatican echoed and the crowd erupted in applause, the pope concluded his blessing by offering Easter greetings in multiple languages, including Latin, Arabic, and Chinese. He also announced plans to return to the basilica on 11 April for a peace prayer vigil, underscoring his commitment to global harmony.
Leo has recently intensified his critique of ongoing wars, using Holy Week addresses to warn against a rising apathy toward violence. During Saturday night’s Easter vigil, he urged followers to remain engaged in efforts for reconciliation, despite the scale of global conflicts. Notably, he made a direct appeal to Donald Trump on Tuesday, encouraging the U.S. president to seek an end to the Iran dispute.
